Place · The Shahnameh · Volumes I, II, III

Turanتوران

too-RAHN

The land of Tur beyond the Oxus, ruled by Afrasiab.

In the poem: First at A0.12, Praise for Sultan Mahmud; last at E10.9, Yazdegard Hides in the Mill
Named: 513 times, in 265 sections
Main stories: C3 The Battle of the Twelve Rukhs (90); B9 The Story of Siavash (61); C2 The Tale of Bijan and Manijeh (46)

In the poem’s own words

The 8 sections that name Turan most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Turan. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.

B7.1

Rostam and the Seven Warriors Go Hunting

At a feast at Nawand, Giv proposes a hunt in Afrasiab’s own preserves. Rostam and the champions hunt across the Turanian border for a week, with Guraza as lookout. Afrasiab sends thirty thousand men to trap them, and Rostam, warned, calls for more wine.

B7.1.23
Across Turan’s broad plain our hunt shall range,And leave a memory no years can change.”
B7.1.25
At dawn we ride across Turan’s domain,And tire of neither hunting nor the rein.”
B7.1.28
They reached the hunting-ground of Turan’s king,With mountains rising on one bordering wing.

Turan named 6 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

B9.40

Siavash Speaks with Piran of the Future

The astrologers tell Siavash that his foundation is ill-starred. Weeping, he tells Piran that he will be killed, though innocent, by a king misled by slander, and that his death will set Iran and Turan ablaze. Piran is shaken and reproaches himself.

B9.40.35
Then Iran and Turan will rise in strife;Revenge will darken every heart and life.
B9.40.40
The king of Turan shall repent too late,And rue the words that helped to shape his fate.
B9.40.42
From Iran and Turan the cries shall spread;The world shall boil because my blood was shed.

Turan named 5 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

B9.46

Siavash Shows His Skill at Polo

Siavash outplays Garsivaz at polo, lifts five coats of mail on his father’s spear and shoots arrows through four shields. Pressed to wrestle, he declines to fight Garsivaz and instead unhorses two champions, Gurvi and Damur, at once. Garsivaz departs humiliated and resentful.

B9.46.13
Your skill surpasses even royal birth;Now show Turan your prowess and your worth.
B9.46.31
Then Garsivaz addressed the prince and said:“In Iran and Turan no peer is bred.
B9.46.42
Choose someone else among the Turan train,And do not let this sport engender pain.”

Turan named 6 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

B10.8

The Death of Pilsam

Piran’s young brother Pilsam asks leave to fight Rostam, and Afrasiab promises him a crown and his daughter. He holds off Giv and Faramarz together. Rostam rides out, lifts him from the saddle and hurls him dead before Afrasiab.

B10.8.10
In all Turan no chief will match your name,The seal and throne await your rising claim.
B10.8.12
Two shares of Iran and Turan are yours,With cities, gems, and all their treasured stores.”
B10.8.35
He knew that only Pilsam fought this way;None else in Turan could hold two, men say.

Turan named 6 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

B14.3

Houman Bears the Khan’s Message

Houman, in disguise, asks Rostam his name. Rostam will not give it, but names his terms: the surrender of all who are guilty of Siavash’s blood, from Garsivaz to the sons of Viseh. Shaken, Houman gives a false name and learns that Rostam wants to see Piran.

B14.3.23
Find those in Turan’s ranks who bear the stainOf guiltless blood, the innocent they have slain.
B14.3.43
Shangul and Chin’s great Khan shall not survive,Nor one of Turan’s warrior kin alive.
B14.3.45
I am a noble of Iran, long triedIn war against Turan and all its pride.

Turan named 5 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C3.4

Giv Carries Word from Gudarz to Piran

Near Raibad, Gudarz picks a thousand chiefs and sends Giv to Piran with the Shah’s terms: hand over Siavash’s killers, your whole treasure, and your son and brothers as hostages; or come over to Khosrow, or retire to Chakh, or fight.

C3.4.8
Say this: ‘I reached Turan with my array,The Shah’s commands my purpose on the way.
C3.4.10
And how Turan has armed itself to fightThe Kayanian kings with wrongful might.
C3.4.13
You, only you among Turan, claim grace,And boast of faith with honor on your face.

Turan named 6 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C3.25

Giv’s Horse Falters before Piran

Giv breaks through to Piran, but his horse balks and his arrows leave the chief unharmed. Bijan reminds him that only Gudarz can kill Piran. Piran flees to Lahhak and Farshidvard, who fight Giv, Guraza, Bijan and Gostaham to a standstill until nightfall.

C3.25.2
He issued from the rear of Turan’s band,With wolfish nobles, sword and spear in hand.
C3.25.10
But when he sought to close with fierce Piran,And thrust his spear against the chief of Turan,
C3.25.24
I heard our monarch say that old PiranWould fight in many battles for Turan.

Turan named 6 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

C3.26

The Battle of Eleven Rukhs Is Arranged

At nightfall both sides agree to settle the war by single combat and withdraw to their mountains. Gudarz hears Giv’s account, rehearses the war’s history from Zahhak to the murder of Siavash, redeploys his wings, and leaves Gostaham in charge of the camp.

C3.26.19
I charged the ranks of Turan with my might,And tore a passage through them in the fight.
C3.26.33
How did you sleep, and how did you arise?What plan for fighting Turan do you devise?”
C3.26.51
When Giv rode out from Iran, long he boreHardship in Turan, wandering evermore.